You can keep learning and making with DownCity Design all year round. This summer, get familiar with the design process, build new things for the community, and explore creative careers.

Ever wondered how graphic designers create logos? How architects shape spaces? Or how industrial designers improve the products we use every day? DownCity Design and DESIGNxRI invite you to join us this summer for a 6-week career discovery program that will open up the world of design. In this summer program, we’ll explore the skills involved in graphic design, industrial + product design, and architectural design.

You’ll work with experienced designers to tackle real-world projects, while learning the basics of design software. Fun field trips and visits from practicing professionals will help you decide if a design career is right for you. You’ll come away with new skills and a digital portfolio to showcase your work. This program is hosted at the state-of-the-art Providence Career and Technical Academy, and is part of DESIGN FORWARD RI, a program of the Real Jobs RI initiative.

EXPLORE/DESIGN is a free program open to all RI youth ages 14 to 18. Participants who meet our attendance requirements will receive a $500 stipend for completing the program. Free breakfast and lunch will also be served each day. No previous design or software skills are necessary. We’ll teach you everything you need to know!

Design / Build Studio is a hands-on camp for teens ages 14-18 who are interested in architecture, construction, and engineering. We’ll design and build a small-scale structure to make the Providence community a better place to live, work, and go to school!

This is a free program, and this year, eligible Providence and Cranston students may be paid to participate!

For Providence Career and Technical Academy students [only] with an interest in graphic design, industrial/product design, and user experience design, we will offer an intensive 6-week Design Studio program for up to 25 young PCTA designers. Participants will work together to design projects to improve the PCTA community. Much like a professional design studio, students work as a team to dream up creative solutions to solve their school's challenge, test it out, make it even better… and then create it.

Qualifying participants may be paid an hourly wage for their work! In order to be eligible, applicants must be legal residents of the United States. Official documentation will be required for all participants receiving compensation.

DownCity Design’s Inventor Studio offers kids ages 8-11 a fun introduction to the process that designers and inventors use to create products that solve problems and make the world a better place. Through hands-on design challenges, students will develop confidence and practice STEAM skills while learning to innovate, communicate their ideas, and work as part of a team.

Each week, campers are presented with a real community need, and work together to imagine something they could create to meet that need. With the guidance of our experienced Design Educators, they’ll sketch their ideas, experiment with new materials as they prototype and test their concepts, get feedback to make their designs stronger, and present their final pitch. There will be a brand new design challenge to tackle each week, so campers can participate in multiple sessions and continue to develop new skills.

DownCity Design is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the city of Providence by getting young people involved in building our future. We help youth become change-makers by inviting them to design solutions for their communities. To learn more about our programs, please visit www.downcitydesign.org